The search is on to find the area's sporting best, whether they be individuals or teams, as well as the unsung heroes.

The awards will be presented by Boro boss Steve McClaren at a special evening at Middlesbrough's Thistle Hotel on Tuesday, March 30.

Hosts for the night will be Paul Addison and Paul Kerr of BBC Radio Cleveland.

As ever, the awards are primarily designed to showcase the great wealth and depth of sporting talent and achievements in the region.

Last year, Teessiders took part in a whole range of sports right around the globe - from big international events to five-a-side games in the local park.

These awards are aimed at everyone - not just those who compete at the very highest levels of their sport.

Performance and achievement weigh heavily with all nominations, but the judges also take into account dedication, character, fair play and ability.

The 2003 Teesside Sports Awards should be the biggest and best ever staged with a new format that boasts more honours than ever and includes, for the first time, a category aimed at the unsung heroes of local sport - the coaches and administrators who put in hours and hours of unseen work every week.

There are four awards in the Prestige category, which are as follows:

* Senior Sportsman/woman of the Year;

* Team of the Year;

* Junior Sportsman/woman of the Year;

* Special Needs Award.

Each award carries prize money of £500 as well as an engraved trophy.

There are a further eight awards in the Main category, which are:

* Athletics Achievement Award;

* Best individual in a Team Sport (football, rugby, hockey, basketball etc);

* Special Award for Sporting Endeavour (aimed at those competing at grass roots level);

* Special Award for Sporting Excellence (aimed at those who achieve national or international success).

Each of the eight Main awards carries a cash prize of £100 plus an engraved trophy.

And there are six further Highly Commended Awards, with each winner being presented with a special trophy and certificate.

The awards are decided by nomination only.

To put an individual or team forward, simply fill in the special coupon on this page or follow the contact instructions.

One nomination is enough to secure entry.

A special panel of judges will have the unenviable task of deciding the winners.

Steven Bell of Bell's Stores said: "We're delighted to be involved in this event again.

"We are a community-based business and it's great to be able to support local sport and make a difference to people who often achieve great things but without much recognition."

Peter Drabble, manager of the Hillstreet Centre, added: "We are the people's shopping centre and we want to put something back into the heart of the local community.

"These awards are fantastic for the area and really showcase all the brilliant achievements made by Teesside people. That's why we're delighted to be a sponsor."

Hugh McGouran, operations director for Pertemps, said: "As an organisation which works closely with the local community, Pertemps sees the sports awards as the perfect opportunity to have an even more active involvement with the people of Teesside.

"We look forward to the event and applauding the many talented people we know are based in this area."

Last year's awards were presented by McClaren on a glittering evening at the Thistle Hotel.